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Atorvastatin reduced soluble receptors of TNF-alpha in systemic lupus erythematosus
G.A. Ferreira1, A.L. Teixeira2, D.C. Calderaro3, E.I. Sato4
- Department of Locomotor System, Medical School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais; and Rheumatology Service, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil. gildaferreira9@gmail.com
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medical School, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
- Rheumatology Service, Hospital das Clínicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
- Rheumatology Division, Universidade Federal de São Paulo/Escola Paulista de Medicina (UNIFESP/EPM), São Paulo, Brazil.
CER8273
2016 Vol.34, N°1
PI 0042, PF 0048
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PMID: 26574625 [PubMed]
Received: 08/01/2015
Accepted : 23/06/2015
In Press: 17/11/2015
Published: 10/02/2016
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of atorvastatin to reduce the plasma levels of TNF system molecules (TNF-α, sTNFR1 and sTNFR2) and to assess their association with risk factors for accelerate atherosclerosis and clinical disease activity scores in SLE patients.
METHODS:
In a previous study, 64 female SLE patients received 20 mg/day of atorvastatin and 24 SLE patients (non-treated group) were followed for 8 weeks. Plasma levels of TNF-α, sTNFR 1 and sTNFR 2 were measured by ELISA, at baseline and at the end of the study.
RESULTS:
The plasma levels of sTNFR1 and sTNFR 2 showed a positive correlation with SLEDAI score. We also found a positive correlation between TNF-α and sTNFR 1 levels and SLICC score. Patients with current nephritis and patients with anti-ds-DNA antibodies presented higher sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 levels. Patients with abdominal obesity and arterial hypertension also had higher plasma levels of soluble receptors. At the end of 8 weeks, we observed a significant decrease in sTNFR1 plasma levels in patients receiving atorvastatin [median (percentile), 876.5 (717–1284 pg/ml) vs. 748 (629.6–917.3 pg/ml), p=0.03], without difference regarding TNF-α and sTNFR2 plasma levels. The SLEDAI and SLICC scores were independent determinants of the plasma levels of sRTNF1.
CONCLUSIONS:
Atorvastatin reduced soluble receptors of TNF-α. The plasma levels of TNF-α, sTNFR1 and sTNFR2 may play a role in SLE activity and atherosclerosis, and might be evaluated as targets for new therapies.
